It wasn't until later that I heard a noise coming from inside the room. At first I chose to ignore it but when it continued I gave up and opened my eyes. As I lay there I tried to figure out the source of the sound. Soon I realized that it was coming from Berto.
"Berto?" I whispered as I lifted my head slightly, only to notice that he was still sleeping. "Maybe it wasn't you." But then I saw him flinch and turn his head, eyes closed. As I watched him I heard him make a noise, almost like a whimper and he moved his head again. Looking at him I wondered if I should wake him up and soon I heard him cry out and I finally clicked that he was having a nightmare. Managing to sit up I reached across and gently shook his shoulder. When he didn't respond I tried again, a little harder this time and suddenly he shot upright. Staring ahead and breathing hard he didn't notice I was looking at him until I spoke.
"Berto are you alright?" I asked and when he didn't answer I put a hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze. When he looked at me I repeated the question.
"I'm…okay." He answered as he rubbed at his eyes and I could see that he clearly wasn't.
"I can tell you're not. Did you have a nightmare?" I asked him and after a moment or two he finally told me.
"I…had a dream about…what happened to you. I couldn't save you and you…didn't…make it. All because of me." He answered, swallowing the lump in his throat and I reached across to stroke his cheek. When I did he started shaking and I pulled him into a hug. "It's okay I'm still here." I said as I held him and in less than a minute he wrapped his arms around mine. When I heard him sob I hugged him tighter and he buried his head in my shoulder. After a few minutes he lifted his head and I was surprised to see how red his eyes had become. "Sorry." He sniffed as he wiped at his eyes and I raised an eyebrow puzzled. "I'm not usually so emotional."
"I should be the one apologizing to you, Shock…well everyone here. I was the one that wrecked your computer and ran away like that." I replied and he shook his head.
"You wouldn't have if I hadn't upset you like I did." He told me and I sighed. "It's true. I almost lost you because I was being a jerk." Then he turned his head away.
"Look at me." I said and when he didn't I reached up and placed my hand on his chin, forcing him to look me in the eyes. "It's not your fault, okay? I'm to blame too and don't give me that look, I know I can be pretty hotheaded." Staring at me for a few seconds Berto finally sat back on his chair and actually managed a smile.
"Then how about we say that we're both at fault and call it even?" He said and I gave him a nod. "Now that that's over how are you feeling?"
"Pretty good actually." I replied grinning at him. "Guess I'm a fast healer huh?"
"Apparently. So do you need anything?" Berto asked me as he stood and was shocked when I swung my legs around and attempted to stand. "Whoa what are you doing?" He said as I put both feet on the ground, only to topple over. If Berto hadn't caught me I would've face planted.
"Trying to go for a walk." I answered as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Would you mind?" I added and he rolled his eyes at me, helping me into the seat he'd just vacated. When I was settled he crossed his arms against his chest and stared at me. "Okay fine. Maybe I still need to rest a while longer." I admitted and he grinned. "But it's boring just sitting here." I pouted and the expression on my face caused Berto to burst out laughing. Now with my arms crossed against my chest I glared at him.
"Sorry…Jessie but the look…on your face." He managed to say, still laughing. Wiping tears of laughter from his eyes he looked at me. "Aww I'm just having some fun with you."
"I know. It hasn't exactly been fun for a while around here." I pointed out and he nodded. Then as I sat there I remembered something. "Hey what day is it?" I asked and he thought for a moment.
"It's Monday so you've been…asleep for about four days." Berto explained and my eyes went wide. "You did almost…well you needed to rest."
"Yeah but I missed Saturday and you had something planned. Sorry Berto." I sighed and that's when he gave me a smile. "Um why are you happy?" I added and as I watched on he took something out of his lab coat pocket.
"That's okay. We can still go out again. Plus I made something for you while you were unconscious." He told me. "Close your eyes." He asked and I did so, curious and that's when I felt something being slipped over one of my fingers. "Okay you can open your eyes now." As soon as I did I was stunned to find a silver and black ring now over my finger.
"Wow you made this for me?" I asked and when he nodded I smiled. "It's beautiful. Thank you." I added and he smiled back as he blushed. As I examined it I noticed that there was an engraving around the outside of the ring and as I looked closer I realized that there were two sets on initials. "J and BM." I read aloud and then I looked up at him, curious.
"I wanted to add your last name but then I realized we don't know what it is." Berto explained and I frowned slightly. "But once we do I'll add it." He told me and I smiled. "Also you usually call me Berto so I thought that a 'B' made more sense."
"That's awesome thank you." I said as I made a second attempt to stand. This time I didn't hit the floor so I took a few shaky steps around the room, only to trip over my own feet and land on my rear. Berto rushed over and helped me up, asking if I was okay. "Yeah just clumsy today." I told him and he chuckled, trying not to laugh at my epic fail at walking. Then an idea came to mind and I wrapped my arms around his waist.
"Umm what are you doing?" Berto asked me before I tilted my head back slightly. Apparently understanding he leant down and I kissed him. When we eventually came up for air we both had a silly grin planted on our faces. "Was that a thank you?" He said and I nodded. "Then you're welcome." He answered and as we went to kiss again we both heard someone cough. Turning at the same time we found Max, Steel and Shock in the doorway.
"Seriously guys? You could have timed that better." I grumbled and Berto chuckled, his arms still around my waist. "So what's up?"
"We actually came here to see how you are." Steel explained as Max rolled his eyes at us.
"A lot better now." I replied and that made Shock roll his eye at us, making me raise my eyebrows at him. "Okay why are you rolling your eye at me like that?" I asked and he flew over to hover in front of me.
"Because you two are making me gag. But I'm still glad you're both alright. After what happened…well at least it's over." Shock answered as Berto let go off me.
"Technically you have no mouth so how can you…never mind. I'm pretty sure we've been down this road before. So what brings you three here?" I asked and Steel told me that he was curious about my new Turbo power. "Which one do you mean?"
"He means the one that keeps draining your Turbo energy in one go." Shock explained and I sighed.
"It's not really a power if it keeps making me collapse." I answered. "Plus it only seems to work when I get mad so again, not very useful."
"That's actually the other reason we're here. We might know a way to help you control it." Steel told me and I smiled, only to see the worried look that appeared on Berto's face. "Though maybe we should wait until you're completely healed." He added, apparently seeing the same look. After Max and Steel left, Shock looked at the both of us for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" He asked me and I shrugged, looking at Berto who seemed to be thinking about something.
"I'm alright but Berto isn't…" I replied and when he looked up surprised, I frowned. "When Steel mentioned that it might be possible to control my newest Turbo power, you looked kind of worried."
"Is it that obvious?" Berto sighed. "Of course I'm worried. You almost…died back in the canyon," He said and just for a split second I saw the pain in his eyes, "and I don't want that to ever happen again."
"I know that you're worried about me but I'm not going to give up being who I am." I said and he rubbed his eyes with one hand. "Look I understand you don't want anything like that to happen again but I'm Jessie and J-Shock. I can't turn my back on being who I am." For a long minute Berto was silent than he looked me square in the eyes.
"Then what am I going to do? Just sit back and hope nothing happens to you the next time you go out and fight? What if you get attacked by Toxzon again? Or Naught? Or what about Dredd? The last time you fought him you lost control and your Turbo powers went out of control." Berto said and I crossed my arms against my chest, annoyed.
"So basically you want me to sit back and be useless? Let Max and Steel handle whoever attacks Copper Canyon next?" I grumbled and he glared at me. "What good are Turbo powers if I can't use them? You can't control me just because we're a couple."
"What's your problem? I just want you to be safe and you act like that's the worst thing in the world." Berto shot back. "Maybe you should fight. Just don't blame me if you get hurt again."
"If that's what you want than fine, be a jerk. I'll go and do whatever I want and if I get hurt…who cares!" I shouted at him and turned around, walking away as quickly as I could so he wouldn't see my tears. Rolling his eye at Berto, Shock went after me. Trying to run away I didn't get far when I stumbled and almost fell. When Berto tried to help me up I pushed his arm away and narrowed my eyes at him.
"I didn't mean to upset you." He tried to explain as I made another attempt at walking away. But I didn't even take a step before I collapsed. Now sitting on the floor I rubbed at my eyes as Berto sat beside me. "Are you okay?" He asked me and I glared up at him, tears in my eyes and he sighed. "I'm sorry." Eventually I buried my head in my hands, crying softly.
Grimacing Berto leaned over and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I am such an idiot." I sniffed as I looked up. "I keep saying the stupidest things."
"You're not an idiot. I know I can't stop you from being who you are and I shouldn't. I just can't help worrying about you." Berto told me as I rubbed at my eyes. "Please don't cry."
"I'm trying not to." I sniffed and he pulled me into a hug. Resting my head on his shoulder I sighed. "Not a very good attempt, huh?" I added and I heard him chuckle. "Quit laughing." I muttered trying to sound annoyed at him. Of course it wasn't very convincing and he laughed. "Why do I keep doing stupid things like pushing you away when you only want to protect me?"
"It's not stupid to want to prove that you're independent. Besides I shouldn't have expected you to just sit back when that's not who you are. Can you forgive me?" Berto said and was taken by complete surprise when I reached up and pulled his head towards mine. Before he could even speak I kissed him. Taken by surprise he still managed to kiss me back. Completely obvious to everything except each other we didn't hear Shock speak.
"Um guys?" He said but I was too focused on kissing Berto that I didn't see or hear him. Once again rolling his eye at the both of us, he flew in front of me and waved his arms. Again this had no effect so eventually he hovered in front of us and yelled "GUYS!" at the top of his voice and we both looked up, startled.
"Huh did you say something Shock?" Berto asked and the Ultralink sighed.
"I've tried to get your attention for the last few minutes." He pointed out and I blushed. "If you two are finished I had something to ask you."
"Yeah what's that Shock?" Berto asked as I blinked.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to try out that new mode." Shock said and I couldn't help winching. "On second thought maybe we should hold off testing it until you're alright."
To everyone's surprise I climbed to my feet and shook my head. "Let's try it out." I said and Berto stood, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked me and I nodded. "Alright but tell me straight away if you don't feel well." He added and I gave him a smile. "Then let's go back to the training room." A little while later Shock and I were standing inside the room. Just outside Berto was finishing making some adjustments to the simulation and from time to time he kept glancing at me. I pretended that I was fine but I was really shaking like a leaf.
"If you don't want to do this its fine." Shock said hovering in front of me. "You look a little pale."
"I need to control this power or I'll be no use in any of our future fights. I'm just a little nervous." I replied and he sighed. "Okay I'm really nervous but I want to be able to fight so I need to do this."
"Okay just take it easy." Shock said and linked with me. After the longest minute of my life Berto started the simulation and we found ourselves in Copper Canyon.
"Just let me know if you can't continue for any reason." Berto called out and I gave him a look. "Just asking."
"Yeah I know. Sorry I'm just on edge today. Let's do this." I replied and soon I found myself facing Toxzon. "Oh man."
"You have to learn to control your anger and since you're mad at him…"Berto called out and I tried to focus.
"Yeah I understand. Ready Shock?" I said. "Let's rock, Strength!" I shouted and the moment we changed modes I rushed forward.
"Brute force again?" Toxzon commented dodging at the last second and taking a swing at me with his claws, I was sent flying. "You are making this too easy." He said as I struggled to my feet.
"Yeah that could have gone better." I muttered shaking my head as Toxzon rushed me this time. "Let's rock, Speed!" I yelled and just as Toxzon reached us I raced forward and easily dodged. Then I started hitting him and moving out of range, just to annoy him and apparently it worked.
"Grrr stay still!" Toxzon yelled and I did…for about three seconds than I clobbered him and he slammed into a nearby building. Grinning I went after him, only for the villain to send a blast of green goop my way. Knocking me over I changed back to Base Mode and Shock detached to stare at me.
"That wasn't the brightest move you've made." He said as I climbed to my feet, trying to get the goop off. Distracted I didn't see Toxzon charge at me until he collided with me. "Jessie!" Shock yelled as he flew after me. Getting slammed for the third time today, I was too dizzy to stand and Shock could only watch on as Toxzon grabbed me around the neck and punched me. As I let out a cry of pain he threw me and I hit the ground. But before he could attack me I managed to stand. And that's when my eyes began to glow green.
"Alright you asked for it Toxzon!" I shouted as I felt my Turbo powers flare up. I heard Berto call out to me, something about 'calming down' but I ignored him. Focused on the villain I started to generate a massive amount of Turbo energy as Shock watched on. Before everyone's eyes I created a shield that covered me from head to toe and with a grin I ran at Toxzon. Firing a blast of that same green goop had no effect on me and before he knew what I was doing I smashed his face with my fists, knocking him over. As I rushed after him, eyes now green and glowing, Shock suddenly flew into my path and I stopped.
"What are you doing?" He yelled and I stared at him, puzzled as he linked with me. "If you keep generating this much energy all at once you'll overload." He told me and that made me blink. Within seconds my eyes stopped glowing and I shook my head, a little shaken. As I stood there I completely forgot about my fight and that's when Toxzon attacked. Taken by surprise he swiped at me with his claws and I only just managed to dodge. Blocking a blow for my head I began to generate Turbo energy again but instead of going critical I controlled it and sent a huge wave of energy at Toxzon, sending him at and through a wall.
Detaching Shock eyed me, a question mark appearing on his face, as I stood there looking down at my hands. Waiting for the usual blackout I was more than a little shocked when I didn't feel exhausted. As the simulation ended I saw Berto race into the room and stare at me for a few seconds.
"Did I just not pass out?" I asked looking at my hands and that's Berto pulled me into a hug.
"When you're powers were overloading I thought…please don't do that again." He said and I tried to speak, my voice muffled by the fact that he had my face pressed into his shoulder. "Oh right. Sorry." He said and let go of me.
"I said 'why didn't I blow up'?" I repeated and Shock answered.
"You managed to control your Turbo energy into one blast, all without knocking yourself out or causing an explosion." The Ultralink explained and it took me almost a full minute to realize that I had finally learned how to control this new power.
"I did it?" I muttered and then I grinned. "I did I!" I shouted this time as I held my hand out for a high five. Grinning at me Berto high-fived me back. "That was awesome!"
"I have to admit that was pretty impressive. So what do we call this new Turbo mode?" Shock asked and we all thought for a moment.
"How about Turbo Flare Mode?" Berto suggested and I smiled as I and Shock nodded. "Then Turbo Flare Mode it is." He said and I laughed.